John Hyrcanus I Prutah — Early Hasmonean Jewish Coinage

Own a Coin from the Generation That Consolidated Hasmonean Independence

A real bronze prutah of John Hyrcanus I—the Hasmonean high priest and ruler who expanded Judaea and strengthened the independent state created by the Maccabean family in the generation before him.

✓ Guaranteed Authentic
✓ Display Album Included
✓ 30-Day Returns

📷 Coins shown are representative examples. You will receive one authentic bronze prutah of John Hyrcanus I. Each coin is unique and will vary in strike, centering, preservation, and individual appearance.

✡ An important early issue of Hasmonean Jewish coinage
🏛 Struck under the ruler who greatly expanded and consolidated Judaea after the Maccabean Revolt
🤲 A real piece of Second Temple history from the 2nd Century BC

Own This Piece of History

Why This Coin Matters

The bronze coinage associated with John Hyrcanus I belongs to one of the most important eras of Jewish self-rule in antiquity.

The Hasmonean state did not begin with John Hyrcanus. His father, Simon Thassi, had already secured a high degree of political independence from Seleucid rule before John's accession. When John became ruler around 135/134 BC, he inherited that hard-won position and expanded it dramatically.

During his long reign, Hyrcanus strengthened the Hasmonean state, expanded its territory, and established Judaea as a major regional power. His reign represents the consolidation and enlargement of Jewish political independence after the Maccabean Revolt.

His coinage is especially important because it belongs to the early development of a distinct Hasmonean monetary tradition. Many issues bear a Hebrew inscription naming Yehohanan the High Priest together with the council or community of the Jews, while common designs include a wreath and double cornucopiae.

These coins should not be described as the first Jewish coins in an absolute sense—Jewish coinage existed in earlier periods—but they are among the most important early coins of the independent Hasmonean state.

This authentic prutah preserves the political and religious identity of Judaea during a generation when the Hasmonean realm was becoming stronger, larger, and increasingly independent of its former Seleucid overlords.

Perfect For

• Jewish and Second Temple history enthusiasts
• Collectors of Biblical and Judaean coinage
• Students of the Maccabean and Hasmonean periods
• First-time ancient coin collectors
• Anyone looking for a meaningful historically grounded gift

What You'll Receive

• One authentic bronze prutah of John Hyrcanus I
• Civilization: Hasmonean Judaea
• Ruler: John Hyrcanus I (c. 135/134–104 BC)
• Century: 2nd Century BC
• Traditional Hasmonean symbols and Hebrew inscription
• Presented in a display album
• Guaranteed authentic
• Representative example of the type (each coin is unique)

Buy with Confidence

• Guaranteed authentic ancient coin
• Carefully sourced and verified
• 30-day return policy
• Secure shipping from the U.S.

Learn More

Continue the story in the Kinzer Coins Journal: What Is a Prutah? The Small Bronze Coin of Ancient Judea.